Plant Invasions in Mountain Areas: Global and Mediterranean Perspectives

TL;DR

Mountains, once thought resistant to invasive plants, are now vulnerable due to human activities and climate change, threatening biodiversity.

Contribution

The paper highlights the increasing vulnerability of mountain ecosystems to plant invasions, particularly in the Mediterranean.

Findings

Mountain ecosystems are experiencing a rapid rise in alien plant species due to human activities and climate change.

The Pyrenees have 771 alien plant taxa, exceeding numbers in larger mountain ranges like the Alps.

Mountains, which host significant biodiversity, are now at risk from invasive species due to shifting environmental conditions.

Abstract

Biological invasions are among the most pervasive threats to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human well-being. Despite international policy efforts, the number of introductions continues to rise worldwide. Mountains, once considered resistant to biological invasions due to harsh climates and isolation, are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Human activities—tourism, infrastructure development, and land-use change—combined with climate warming, are creating new pathways and suitable conditions for non-native plants to spread upslope. Global evidence shows a rapid increase in alien species richness in mountain ecosystems, with some taxa shifting elevation by hundreds of meters. The problem of biological invasions becomes critical when considering that mountains harbor nearly a quarter of the planet’s total biodiversity. This issue is even more concerning in biodiversity hotspots such as the Mediterranean Basin, where mountains present an exceptionally high rate of endemism and have served as glacial refugia. The Pyrenees exemplify this dynamic: historically shaped by millennia of human activity, they now face growing pressures from tourism and climate change. Recent cataloging efforts reveal 771 alien taxa, surpassing figures for larger ranges like the Alps. These findings challenge long-held assumptions about mountain resilience and underscore the urgent need for coordinated monitoring, early detection, and management strategies—including citizen science initiatives—to mitigate ecological impacts and protect mountain biodiversity under accelerating global change.

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